Sensor for guiding robotic vehicles

The MGS1600 by Roboteq is a magnetic guide sensor that uses signal processing to measure lateral distance with millimeter resolution and can detect and manage up to 2-way forks.

01/10/2013

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Roboteq Inc. introduces a magnetic guide sensor capable of detecting and reporting the position of a magnetic field along its horizontal axis. The sensor is intended for line following robotic applications, using adhesive magnetictape to form a track guide on the floor. The 160 mm wide sensor uses advanced signal processing to accurately measure its lateral distance from the center of the track, from a height up to 60 mm and a position resolution of 1 mm. The sensor is primarily used to steer Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), moving material on factory floors.

The MGS1600 tape position information can be output in numerical format on the sensor's RS232, USB, CANbus, Analog or PWM ports. The sensor can also be connected to any PLC using a choice of Analog, PWM, RS232 or CANbus interfaces. Using USB, the sensor can easily be interfaced to any PC compatible computer.

The sensor will detect and manage up to 2-way forks and can be instructed to follow the left or right track using commands issued via its digital inputs, the Serial, USB or CANbus ports. In addition to detecting a magnetic guide track to follow, the sensor will detect and report the presence of magnetic markers that may be positioned on the left or right side of the track. Markers are made of the same magnetic tape but of opposite polarity. The sensor is equipped with several LEDs for easy monitoring and diagnostics. The sensor incorporates a high performance, basic scripting language that allows users to add fully customized functionality to the sensor.

The sensor is delivered with a powerful PC utility for configuring its settings, and updating its firmware in the field with new features as they become available.

To help with system setup and troubleshooting, the utility also includes as a strip chart recorder, and a visualization window to display in realtime, the magnetic field as it is seen by the sensor.

Annual Salary Survey

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